Taiwan Opposition Politicians Attend Cross-Strait Forum｜TaiwanPlus News

[00:00:00]An annual cross-strait forum in Xiamen has wrapped up.

[00:00:04]Beijing hails the event as an opportunity for exchanges between Taiwan and China, while Taipei criticizes it as a platform for Beijing's efforts to influence Taiwan with the ultimate goal of taking control of it.

[00:00:18]This year, Taipei banned government officials of any level from participating. But still, at least one did show up virtually.

[00:00:28]The county magistrate of Taitung in eastern Taiwan, in a video recording played at the forum, reportedly expressed support for agreements signed there for Chinese businesses to buy certain kinds of Taiwanese agricultural and fishery products.

[00:00:43]It's unclear whether this violated Taipei's ban. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council declined to comment.

[00:00:49]Attending in person was a legislator from Taiwan's outlying islands of Kinmen, which lie just a few kilometers off China's southeast coast. She hoped to push for more benefits for Kinmen.

[00:01:18]Also, Chang Jung-kung, the vice chair of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, met with a top Chinese Communist Party official, Wang Huning.

[00:01:28]He said both sides of the strait have a shared identity and emphasized the importance of cross-strait exchanges. He also spoke on the nature of cross-strait relations.

[00:01:47]The comments drew criticism from Taipei, the Mainland Affairs Council expressing, quote, "deep regret that Taiwanese opposition figures continue to echo Chinese Communist Party narratives, saying this only weakens Taiwan's democracy and sends the wrong message that Taiwan accepts China's political preconditions.

[00:02:06]Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties disagree on how to approach relations with China.

[00:02:11]Beijing refuses to talk to Taiwan's central government, while the KMT has warmer ties with Beijing. The party's chair met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April.

[00:02:22]Taiwanese and Chinese businesses also reportedly signed agreements at the forum on buying agricultural products from Taiwan, which Chinese state media says is an effort to implement policy measures Beijing announced in April to deepen cross-strait ties, but that some warn Beijing could use as a political tool.

[00:02:54]A popular Chinese actor also attended, which analysts suggest is part of China's soft power efforts to attract Taiwanese fans. And the legislator who attended announced Monday she had invited him to visit Taiwan.

[00:03:08]Ryan Woo and Cadence Coronta for Taiwan Plus.